The second Indo-Pak war was fought in August-September 1965. Also, known as second war of Kashmir, the war began with Operation Gibraltar by Pakistan where Pakistani paratroopers and army men infiltrated Kashmir as civilians. The war lasted for 3 weeks and resulted in heavy casualties on both sides. Although, India was in much better position at the time of UN imposed ceasefire, the general view of war result is that of stalemate.
Events Leading to War: Kashmir remained a disputed territory for both the countries since independence. However, there were other disputed areas as well, one of them being Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. Pakistan claimed it to be their area and started patrolling it in January 1965. In April both the forces attacked each other’s posts in Rann of Kutch. This was ended by the intervention of Britain which persuaded both the countries to set up a tribunal. Though tribunal awarded 900km2 land to Pakistan, they were not satisfied.
General Ayub Khan believed that India would fail to defend itself in a surprise attack in Kashmir due to the Indian loss in 1962. Also, India had major force defending its eastern borders. So, General Khan started a covert operation named Operation Gibraltar where Pakistani army and paratroopers infiltrated Kashmir as civilians. Their aim was to start a civil unrest in the state. But this operation was proved to be a complete failure and lead to a full scale military offensive by Pakistan in August 1965.
The War: On August 5. 1965 between 26000 to 33000 Pakistani forces crossed the Line of Control in Kashmir, dressed as locals. In response, Indian army crossed the line of cease fire on August 15. Initial phase of battle saw major Indian victories. This forced Pakistan to launch Operation Grand Slam, aimed to capture the Akhnoor town in Kashmir which held strategic importance. This operation was so vital that both the countries agree that had it been successful as planned, it would have been unprecedented Pakistani victory.
Though unable to counter-attack, Indian forces were able to hold Akhnoor. When the technically superior and heavily numbered Pakistani force continued its attack in Akhnoor, India decided to attack Pakistani Punjab to divert their attention. Pakistan was forced to move its forces to defend Punjab and this also gave India time to reinforce in Akhnoor. Operation Grand Slam thus failed and proved to be a decisive point in the war.
By September 6th, India had crossed the International borders. The Indian force, under Major General Prasad, came very close to Lahore International Airport forcing United States to call for cease fire. Pakistan was trying to defend all the strategic positions in Lahore and they blew away the bridges which they couldn’t hold. This stalled Indian march further into Lahore. But Indian forces captured the town of Batapore and Dograi in Pakistan. In response to this, Pakistan heavily attacked Rajasthan border and simultaneously launched an armoured division attack on Khem Karan in Punjab, with the aim to capture Amritsar. They however, never moved beyond Khem Karan due to the resistance by India. One of the final blows to Pakistan was the Battle of Asal Uttar (Fitting Response) where they lost 97 tanks of their 1st armoured division (the pride of Pakistan) which stopped any further movement by them.
By this time, both the countries had gained some territory of the other and the war was heading for stalemate. India had gained 1800km2 of fertile Sialkot, while Pakistan gained 550km2 of deserts in Sindh and Chumb sectors of Kashmir. Had the war continued Pakistan was bound to suffer more heavy losses of men, material and land. But much to the dismay of public and army, UNSC imposed an unconditional ceasefire on 22nd September 1965. The war ended on next day. On January 10th, Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri signed on Tashkent declaration which agreed to withdraw forces back to pre-August lines. He died the following day due to a heart attack.
This war saw the extensive use of air force from both the countries. India lost 59 aircrafts in the war and Pakistan 20. The war also saw the use of tanks heavily. In fact, this war had some of the biggest tank battles since World War-II. Though it may seem like both the countries suffered equal losses, the fact is had the war continued, India would have captured Lahore and forced Pakistan to surrender.
War Heroes: More than 3000 Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives in the war. After the war a total of 16 battle honours and 3 theatre honours were awarded to Indian Army units. For bravery and exemplary display of courage and self-sacrifice Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid and Lieutenant-Colonel Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore were awarded Param Veer Chakra post humously.
Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid: Havildar Abdul Hamid was born on July 1, 1933 in Dhamupur village of Ghazipur district in Uttar Pradesh. He was from a Muslim darzi family and his father was also a wrestler. He was enrolled into The Grenadiers infantry regiment in 1954.
On September 10th, 1962, Pakistan attacked with a regiment of Patton tanks on a vital area ahead of village Chima on Bhikkiwind road in Khem Karan. Abdul Hamid was recently promoted and given charge of quartermaster stores of his company. But as he was the best in 160mm recoilless rifle shot, he was reverted back to his former post Non-commissioned Officer commanding the battalion’s recoilless rifle platoon. He was under the same charge during the September 10th attack.
When enemy’s regiment position, he moved out with his mounted gun jeep, under intense shelling and tank fire. With his recoilless gun, he took out the lead enemy tank, then moved his position swiftly and knocked another one out. By this time, the enemy had spotted him and bought him under concentrated machine gun and high explosive fire. But he remained undeterred with this and with complete disregard for his personal safety, he kept on firing and took out another enemy shell. Doing so, he was mortally wounded by high explosive shell. His actions inspired his men to put up a gallant fight resulting in major Indian victory in battle of Asal Uttar.
He was awarded Param Veer Chakra for his supreme sacrifice which was collected by his widow Rasoolan Bibi. A mela is organized in Asal Uttar (aka Patton Town due to the number of Pakistani Patton tanks destroyed) every year on his martyrdom day in his memory.
Lieutenant-Colonel Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore: Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore was born on August 18, 1923 in Mumbai. He belonged to the family of General Ratanjiba who led the army of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and was awarded 100 villages of which Tarapore was main village. He was sent to the Sardar Dastur Boys' Boarding School, Pune where he completed his matriculation in 1940. After school, he applied for the army and was selected. He was commissioned in the 7th Hyderabad Infantry as a Second Lieutenant.
On 11 September 1965, the Poona Horse Regiment under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Burzarji Tarapore was assigned the task of capturing Phillora in the Sialkot Sector in Pakistan. To make a surprise attack on Phillora from the rear, the regiment was thrusting between Philloira and Chawinda when it was suddenly counter attacked by the enemy’s heavy Armour from Wazirali. Lieutenant Colonel A. B. Tarapore defied the enemy’s charge and gallantly attacked Philloira. Under continuous enemy tank and artillery fire, Lieutenant Colonel A B Tarapore remained unperturbed throughout this action and when wounded refused to be evacuated.
On 14 September 1965, though still wounded he again led his regiment to capture Wazirali. Such was his grit and determination that unmindful of his injury, he again gallantly led regiment and captured Jassoran and Butur-Dograndi on 16 September. His own tank was hit several times, but despite the odds he maintained his pivots in both these places and thereby allowed the supporting infantry to attack Chawinda from the rear. Inspired by his leadership, the regiment fiercely attacked the enemy heavy armour destroying approximately 60 enemy tanks at a cost of only 9 tank casualties. Lieutenant Colonel A. B Tara pore was mortally wounded in the process. The valour displayed by lieutenant Colonel A.B. Tarapore in this heroic action, which lasted six days, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Army.